Traveling America's Great Loop, 6000+ miles at 10mph.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

WOW the Big Chute Marine Railway- July 31st

This is yet another milestone of our journey, we have read about the Big Chute in blogs and seen many photos however, to see it in person is an another thing entirely. We docked at the Big Chute Marina to take in the working aspects of it and to take many photos including Blue Skies on the Chute. We met up with Larry and Christine at the Rendezvous in Norfolk back in May but barely exchanged a hello until we once again met up with them in Orillia Ontario. It is fun and interesting to share stories with fellow loopers along the way.

What is the Big Chute you say? It is not a lock though it is counted as lock 44 in this one you and your boat are transported out of the water on a giant railway carriage over a road and down the side of a rocky hilltop back into the water below. The total drop is 60' and it is the only marine railway cart still in use in the world. Well thats one way to get from the high lake to the lower lake! It is a site to behold and even more exciting to experience the ride in person.

Here we are at the blue line with Blue Skies we took a walk to check it out. So we took photos of Blue Skies on the Chute.

Blue Skies is entering the Railway car. They are then lifted on straps and the car starts moving up the hill.

Then over the road to the other side then down the hill and out to the lower lake.

We decided to stay the night and do the Chute in the morning. This is how the chute rests at night, just off to the side of the road. What a site!

Our turn, in we go. Since we are lifted out of the water Jim asked the lock master if he would take a look at our props to see how they looked. No harm in asking ay? He said the bottom looked good and the prop had a small piece of rope on it. Hmmm Jim had thought there may be something going on below water.